INTRODUCTION:

A radio announcer on KLOS in Los Angeles, about thirty minutes after a major earthquake, made these two statements: "The telephone company is urging people to please not use the telephone unless it is absolutely necessary in order to keep the lines open for emergency personnel. We'll be right back after this break to give away a pair of Phil Collins concert tickets to caller number 95." (1)

A Major was assigned to a new office on a military base. While working to set up his office a Private knocked on his door. The Major quickly picked up the phone and motioned for the Private to enter. On the phone the Major said, "Yes sir, General Schwarzkopf, I think that is an excellent idea. (Pause) No sir, that's fine, you call me any time, I'm glad I could help. (Pause) Yes sir, I will, and you give my best to your family as well. Thank you sir, and a good day to you too, General Schwarzkopf."

As the Major hung up he turned to the Private and asked, "What can I do for you Private?"

Rather embarrassed, the Private mumbled, "Uh, sir, I'm just here to hook up the phone." (2)

Do you know why it appears in the New Testament that Jesus had so little respect for most of the Sadducees and Pharisees? Because the ones he addressed were like those two stories I told. They were inconsistent in their faith and they were hypocrites. They didn't practice what they preached. Their words and actions weren't the same.

That's why we found the Call to Worship video this morning so disturbing. NO ONE, should be ignored like that when they visit any church. NO ONE who enters the door of a House of God anywhere should be made to feel unwelcome or insignificant.

So what do we do? How do we make sure there is consisitency in our faith and in the living out of our faith.

Well the first thing we need to do is to remember that as Christians you and I are "Recovering Hypocrites." We are Recovering because sometimes we still blow it. We believe one thing and act the opposite. We proclaim one thing and act the opposite. We get it wrong sometimes.

We acknowledge that we are the Children of God, the Saved, the Chosen but only by the Grace of God. Not because of what we have done or what we do but only because of what has been done for us through the cross of Christ.

We have nothing to boast of except the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ, the Sinless Son of God who gave His life on the cross, so that we could be forgiven and experience the New Life God has for us and so we could live without the fear of death through the promise of Life Eternal.

Beyond that, and as a result of God's Grace in Christ, we are called to a life filled with "The Ministry of Do WOP."

We don't need to start singing instead, we're called to DO WORKS OF PRAISE, WORDS OF PRAISE AND WORKS OF THE PRINCE. Let's see how James describes this Do WOP Ministry.

James 1:17-27 (NRSV)

[17] Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

[18] In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

[19] You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger;

[20] for your anger does not produce God's righteousness.

[21] Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

[22] But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

[23] For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror;

[24] for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.

[25] But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act--they will be blessed in their doing.

[26] If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.

[27] Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

James calls us to "be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves."

For the Doo-Wop novices amongst us, the Encyclopedia Britannica reports: "The term doo-wop is derived from the sounds made by the group as they provided harmonic background for the lead singer."

Today I want to change that definition to deal with ministry. This is the Revised Strayhorn Version. "The term Do-WOP is derived from the ministry and actions of faithful believers as we provide harmony and ministry so others can experience the love and grace of Jesus our Savior for themselves."

I. DO WORKS OF PRAISE:

As "doers of the word" we're called to put our faith in action. We're called to DO WORKS OF PRAISE. What does that mean? James says: "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."

We're called to DO those Generous Acts of Giving in the name of God. We're called to Praise God through and with those generous acts. Because when we act generously to others, with the Love and Grace of God, it makes a major impact on our lives and on the lives of other people.

Watch this clip and you'll see what I mean.

(SHOW CLIP: Keys of the Kingdom)

That pastor was a DOER OF THE WORD. He was actively involved in the Ministry of Do WOP, as was his whole church. That Church lived out their faith as a WORK OF PRAISE.

They welcomed and loved a family into a loving, life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. And that relationship lead to changed lives and eventually to a life of full time ministry. There is no telling how many lives have been changed and will continue to be changed because of that one simple WORK OF PRAISE.

We're all called to be "doers of the word." We're all called to The Ministry of Do WOP.

II. DO WORDS OF PRAISE:

As "doers of the word" we're called to put our faith in action. We're called to DO WORDS OF PRAISE.

I read a story about a man who was knocked unconscious in a car wreck. When he woke up he was screaming violently. After being rushed by ambulance to the hospital, the man discovered he had only a minor concussion. The hospital personnel asked him about his strange behavior, "Why did you act so violently out there at the accident site?"

He explained, "When I woke up there were people standing all around me, and I saw a word."

"A word?" they asked.

"Yes," he said. Then he told them the word and they understood. You see, the wreck took place at a Shell service station, and the head of one of the individuals standing over him was covering up the letter S on the Shell sign. (3)

I've always been amazed at the effect a single word or a certain look can have on people. Remember how your parents could say your name and it would strike fear into your very being and make your blood run cold. Or it could make your heart leap for joy? The old phrase "sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you," is wrong isn't it?

Words can build up or words can tear down. You and I are in the building up business. We're not just called to build new buildings. We're called to build new lives. We're called to build up the battered and broken. We're called to rebuild the broken hearted and broken down with the Word of God and our Words of Welcome and Words of Love. And we do that with The Ministry of Do WOP. THE MINISTRY OF DOING WORDS OF PRAISE.

When we do that, it makes a difference. Watch this clip and you'll see what I mean.

(SHOW CLIP: Life Changing)

(SHOW CLIP: Richard Kimbro)

Wasn't that powerful. To think that the church and a group of people can have that much influence on one individual's life. That story can told in countless other churches. And in countless other lives. All because the Children of God in those churches practiced The Ministry of Do WOP. THE MINISTRY OF DOING WORDS OF PRAISE.

III. DO WORK OF THE PRINCE:

You see, every time you and I reach out a welcoming hand. Every time you and I offer a Word of Praise. Every time we lift someone up rather than putting them down, we make a difference. We plant the seeds of God's Kingdom in someone's heart. We plant the seeds of God's love and grace in their lives.

When we practice and actively participate in the The Ministry of Do WOP then we DO THE WORK OF THE PRINCE. We serve Jesus. And a we bring Him glory. And that is Kingdom Work.

Joe Garagiola tells the story of catching a young pitcher one day when Stan Musial came to the plate. Garagiola signaled for a fast ball, and the young pitcher shook it off. Garagiola signaled for a curve, but again the pitcher shook it off. Garagiola called for a slider, and the pitcher shook it off. Having gone through all the pitches this young man could throw, Garagiola called time out and approached the mound and said, "I've called for every pitch in the book. What in the world do you want to throw?"

With his voice quivering, the young pitcher said, "Nothing, Joe. I just want to hold onto the ball as long as I can!" (4)

In the Kingdom of God the only thing we get to keep is what we give away. And we're called to freely give away the Grace and Forgiveness of God.

When we are "doers of the word, and not merely hearers" we are doing WORK OF THE PRINCE, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Don't hang onto the Good News. Don't hang onto the Grace and Forgiveness you have received through Jesus Christ. Let you words and you actions be consistent. Give it away. Give it to everyone you meet through The Ministry of Do WOP. DO WORKS OF PRAISE, WORDS OF PRAISE AND WORKS OF THE PRINCE.

1. Parables, Etc. (Saratoga Press, P.O. Box 8, Platteville, CO, 80651; 970-785-2990), June 1995

2. Pastor Bill Hybels, "Becoming A Contagious Christian - Authenticity," Seeds Tape Ministry

3. Les Hughes, The Sound of God's Applause (Nashville: Broadman & Holman 1999), 57.

4. I don't remember where I found this one.

www.SermonWriter.com (Copyright, Richard Niell Donovan, 2000)

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